Are the Devils over the shock and impact of Ilya Kovalchuk returning to Russia?

Martin Brodeur thinks so.

“I think it’s over. I think the organization dealt with it pretty good. I know if I would have been them I would’ve been a lot more (ticked off). Put it that way," Brodeur said today after reporting to Prudential Center for his physical. "But I think they did it the right thing to forget about it and move on and get other people in.

“It will be a transition to see where that money is going to go to eventually because (other players are signed). We couldn’t, because it was after free agency, to get a player somewhat of his caliber. We were able to get some good players, but next year we have guys on one-year contracts. It will be interesting to see where we go from here.”

Kovalchuk's decision to leave the Devils with 12 years and $77 million remaining on his contract was bad timing.

“A little bit,” Brodeur said.

Kovalchuk retired from the NHL before signing a deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. Brodeur is on the last year of his contract with the Devils, but won't say if he plans to retire.

"I'm just going to play this year," the goalie said. "I'm not going to comment on yes I will or no I won't (come back). You're not going to hear from me. I'm not going to tell anyone if I'm going to retire or not until I make the decision of coming back or not."

One of the players the Devils signed after Kovalchuk's departure was Jaromir Jagr.

"He's a quality hockey player, still, at his age," Brodeur noted. "I think he's going to help a lot of our young guys. He's not just a superstar. He's one of the best players to play the game in my book. In my era anyway. Mario was good. Gretzky was good. This guy is the same age (as Brodeur).

Brodeur said he won't have anything to prove now that the Devils have goalie Cory Schneider.

"Not really. If they don't know what I can do, they'll never know," he said. "I'm excited for the challenge to play with him. I think he's going to keep me accountable. I don't really need it but it's there, so I might as well use it. I always want to be the best when I get out there.

"He's 27 years old but he's only been in the league three years. So he has a lot to learn. He's definitely the guy who is going to take what I did for so many years and move with it. He's going to be the top goalie in New Jersey within the next few years. No doubt about that. For me it's a fun opportunity to help him out."

The 41-year-old Brodeur is in training camp with his 18-year-old son, Anthony.

"For me it's going to be fun," Brodeur said. "It's already fun. Just to be able to sit with him. His locker stall in next to mine and his changing stall is next to mine.

"I do feel old right from the get-go, so it's not a change."

He'd like to get into a scrimmage against his son.

"It's a great opportunity that we have to do something special regardless of what it is," Brodeur said. "I'll take anything just to spend a little time with him on the ice. We'll see. At the end of the day it's not all about us. It's about what (the Devils are) trying to accomplish in training camp.

"He's a young kid. I've skated with young kids before. It just so happens now it's my son. It definitely would be real nice to do something like that."

Brodeur gets more nervous watching Anthony than playing himself.

"Oh, yeah. Definitely. I wish I could be in him and do it for him," he said. "That's where you have to let it go as a dad. It's hard."

And if they faced each other in a scrimmage?

"I might have to get a couple softies (scored) on me so he could win the game," he said with a laugh.

Anthony Brodeur, drafted by the Devils in June, said he is intent on impressing the coaches more than his father.

"I think it's a little of both. But if he thinks that, his mind is in the right place," Brodeur said. "Maybe he knows where I'm going to stand later on, so he needs to impress me, too."

That was a reference of Brodeur perhaps being the Devils' general manager some day.

"He needs to play a little more big. He's not a big goalie to start with," Brodeur said. "He's got to learn to stand his ground a little more. But for me I see a lot more things than maybe other people see."

This camp could be overwhelming to some kids.

"For him to be here it's not new. He's been here for all his life," Brodeur said. "He's been in the locker room, with the coaches, he's been skating here the last few years when he came back from school. So he's not wowed by the whole thing. I think he's enjoying this time. Maybe he's able to love it a little more because he's comfortable right from the get-go. For a young kid it's hard being comfortable. The prospects camp really helped."

Clearly, this is bringing back memories.

"It's similar to when I came," Brodeur recalled. "My dad wasn't the goalie, though. Maybe that's the only difference. Not for this team."

His father-- Anthony's grandfather-- was an Olympic goalie for Canada. Although Denis Brodeur is not in good health, he is excited about his son and grandson in camp together.

"I was happy to go back (to junior). Talking to him, I feel he has the same attitude. His heart is in Gatineau (QMJHL). He's just starting there. This is a fun time, but at some time this is going to get old. He's going to want to get back to his team."

Brodeur spoke about the Devils' changes.

"There will be adjustments for everybody," he said. "I think it's a great challenge. I'm excited to come back and see the little puzzle Lou (Lamoriello) put together this summer and how it's going to pan out. We got bigger."

Brodeur joked that he won't expect a (possible) last tour around the NHL like baseball's Mariano Rivera.

"it's economic tough times now. I won't get much in the NHL," he joked. "No cars. I'll get a Citizen watch instead of a Rolex. Not good."